Proposed changes to busking regulations by the City of Sydney Council have been welcomed by street musicians previously hit by restrictions on street access and time slots.
The draft regulations would provide George Street buskers an extra hour to perform (allowing two hours total), and open up parts of George Street, Martin Place and Pitt Street Mall, which have been restricted to buskers since October last year.
Spaces within five meters of tram lines and parts of southern George Street would remain closed due to safety concerns regarding light rail tracks and noise complaints from residential areas.
The changes come after a backlash from buskers against the council’s October restrictions, which prior to their implementation only obtained feedback from four of the over 400 buskers licensed by the council.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore admitted previously “communication with the busking community was not as clear as it should have been”.
The new draft regulations were open for feedback through public meetings and surveys until April, with an announcement on the outcome expected next week.
Andrew Holton in Haymarket, Sydney. Photo: Joe McLean.
Haymarket saxophone player Andrew Holt (show name: ‘Sax in the City’) said he supports the proposed changes, but for performers, two hours is not enough really.
“Give us an open rein. Make us feel like we’re loved by the city,” he told Central News. “A lot of the rangers make us feel like we’re a burden. And even some of the people.”
Holton said he plays for the love of performing, and prefers the low foot traffic area of Haymarket to avoid the ‘fisticuffs’ which can erupt when competing over spaces.
Since October, busking on George Street has been restricted to a handful of spots between Town Hall, Haymarket and Wynyard. Many of these have low foot traffic and are unused, while the prized position of Pitt Street Mall is currently limited to only one spot for small performances.
“Sometimes we have to wait one hour, two hours, three hours to busk,” said violinist Jaqueline Azevedo, adding that while she welcomed the proposed changes, she would like to see greater access to areas of George Street that would still be banned under the council’s proposal.
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- Violinist Jacqueline Azevedo.
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- Guitarist and singer Aly Smallcombe.
Aly Smallcombe, a new busker to Sydney city, was excited at the possibility of George Street opening up to street performers.
Busking outside the Queen Victoria Building she said: ‘This isn’t a very good spot for this time of day, so I’m definitely noticing less money than I’d usually get in the more popular spot that’s taken right now (on Pitt Street).”
In increasing access to high-foot traffic areas, the council’s proposed changes could help make busking more viable for Sydney musicians which, the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance reports, otherwise face declining revenue from recordings and widespread insecure contracts for live gigs. Half reportedly earn under $15,000 per year.
The City of Sydney council is expected to implement the changes soon, with an announcement expected on Monday.
Main image of Aly Smallcombe. Photo: Joe McLean
